A MAN who used a golf club to repeatedly bang on his neighbours' front door has received a 12-month conditional discharge.

Samuel William Chaplin, 26, now of Harvest Way in Skegness, but formerly of College Close in Horncastle, admitted the public order offence towards his two neighbours from January 19.

John Mitchell, prosecuting, said Chaplin, who lived next door to the couple, had been banging repeatedly on the glass of their front door using the golf club.

When the male occupant went to the door, Chaplin started swearing and saying 'come on then.'

Mr Mitchell said: "He indicated he wanted to fight and the couple felt extremely frightened about what was going to happen. The door was closed after a struggle and once they managed to secure the property, they telephoned the police."

In mitigation, Terry Vamplew said there was a lot of background to consider.

He told the court as well as living next door, Chaplin and the female occupant had worked together.

He told the magistrates: "She had taken against Mr Chaplin and made some serious allegations about him, which were investigated by the employer and found to be false. As a result, the woman left and was banned from the store."

He also told magistrates that Chaplin and his partner had also been subjected to homophobic abuse.

He said: "The matter came to a head on January 19 when Mr Chaplin was again subjected to abuse from banging on his windows and throwing things in the garden. He did call the police and told them what was going on and instead of waiting for them, he went round to confront them. He now knows he should have waited for the police."

He said Chaplin had been the subject of a curfew since January.

As well as the 12 month conditional discharge, Chaplin was ordered to pay £60 costs.

A charge of possessing a golf club as an offensive weapon was discontinued.